Journal of Lieutenant Isaac Bangs, April 24, 1776

I before mentioned this Regt as being in the Brigade of which Genl Green had the Command; each Brigade was arranged on their Departure from Mass. Bay to stand no longer than during their March to N. York. Now the whole Army was again put into 5 Brigades under Command of the following Generals, Viz.: 1, Genl Heath; 2, Spencer; 3, Sullivan; 4, Green and the 5th, Lord Sterling.

Gens Heath & Sullivans Brigades each consisted of 5 Regts; the others of 4 Regts each; and our Regt by the New Establishment was put into Genl Heath's Brigade.

SOURCE: Edward Bangs, Edited, Journal of Lieutenant Isaac Bangs, April 1 to July 29, 1776, p. 29

Diary of Sergeant James McMichael, August 11, 1776

The General was beat at sun-up, the troops were paraded, and proceeded through Newark, over the ferries of Passaic, Hackensack and Powl's Hook, and reached the city of New York at 4 Р. М. After forming the regiment in the city, we marched a mile out of Town to a place called Pleasant Hill and there encamped. This night we joined Lord Stirling's brigade, which is entirely composed of Pennsylvanians, Virginians and Marylanders. We are now in view of a formidable English Fleet at the end of Staten Island, said to consist of 100 sail of the line and transports.

SOURCE: “Diary of Lieutenant James McMichael,” William H. Egle, Editor, Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, Vol. XV: Journals and Diaries of the War of the Revolution with Lists of Officers and Soldiers, 1775-1783, p. 197

Diary of Sergeant James McMichael, August 27, 1776

At sunrise we were ordered to march easterly from near Flatbush a few miles, when we discovered the enemy coming against us with 5000 foot and 500 horse. We numbered just 400. We at first thought it prudent to retire to a neighboring thicket, where we formed and gave battle. Here my right hand man fell, shot thro' the head. We were attacked by the enemy's left wing, while their right endeavoured to surround us. Their superior numbers forced us to retire for a short distance, when we again formed and fought with fortitude until we were nearly surrounded. Having by this time lost a great number of men, we were again forced to retreat, when we found that the enemy had got between us and the fort. Then despairing of making good our retreat we resolved to die rather than be taken prisoners, and thus we were drove from place to place 'till 3 o'clock P. M., when we agreed to attempt crossing the mill-pond, that being the only way left for our escape. Here numbers were drowned, but it was the will of Providence that I should escape, and at half past three, we reached the lines, being much fatigued. The enemy advanced rapidly and endeavoured to force our lines, but were repulsed with considerable loss. They afterwards marched towards the Narrows, where they found our First Battalion and the Delaware Blues under command of Col. Hazlet. These battalions were chiefly cut off, we were ordered to cover their retreat, which exposed us in open field to a heavy fire from the enemy 'till evening—the remainder of our troops brought us 23 prisoners. At dark we were relieved and ordered to St. George's ferry to take refreshments. Thus happened the memorable action on Long Island, where the enemy attacked and defeated Lord Stirling's brigade, consisting of the following regiments: Colonels Miles, Atlee, Smallwood and Hazlet. Major General Sullivan, Brig. Gen. Lord Stirling were taken prisoners, also Col. Miles and Atlee; Lieut. Col. Piper—all of our regiment also, 19 commissioned officers, 23 sergeants, and 310 rank and file. My preservation I only attribute to the indulgent Providence of God, for tho' the bullets went around me in every direction, yet I received not a wound.

SOURCE: “Diary of Lieutenant James McMichael,” William H. Egle, Editor, Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, Vol. XV: Journals and Diaries of the War of the Revolution with Lists of Officers and Soldiers, 1775-1783, pp. 198-9

Journal of Captain John Montresor, June 26, 1777

At 3 o'clock this morning the Army moved in 2 Columns, the right Lord Cornwallis-left Major General Vaughan—the Right Column took the Woodbridge Road and the left the Brunswick road but turned off the road to Metuchin meeting and 1200 men were sent on to take post at Bonham town way to Brunswick from Amboy and the 2 Columns encamped this night at Westfield. A continued firing most of this day's march. Lord Sterling and General Maxwell with 3000 men and 4 brass field pieces principally opposed us near Westfield, but were put to flight leaving behind 3 Brass Field pieces, 3 Pounders one French and 2 English. Supposed to have killed this day about 50 of the Rebels and took 64 prisoners in arms and about 500 head of horned cattle. Washington with the gross of his Army made off very early with the utmost Expedition and his Baggage and retired to his old post on the Shannoc mountain. The heat of the weather was such that we lost 9 men on the march by it. We had no men Killed and about 20 wounded and a Captain in the Guards shot through the Body. Great want of water as the Inhabitants had choaked several of their wells. Most of the Houses were abandoned, what were not had only women and children. The rebel army had moved from the Mountain Country leaving there taken post at Quibbletown three miles South of the mountain. The Engineers and Artificers were divided with the 2 Columns—two Established and an Assistant Engineer to each, myself with the Commander in Chief. The first body that fired on our right Column was about 1500 men under a General Conway and 3 field pieces, which were soon routed with loss by the usual Intrepidity of Light Infantry. Lord Chewton, aid de Camp to Lord Cornwallis had his horse shot under him. One man raved with a coup de soleil and fired at our own flankers. Amongst the prisoners a Major, 2 Captains and an Adjutant the latter shot through the thigh.

SOURCE: G. D. Scull, Editor, The Montresor Journals, pp. 424-5